Grand Jury Indicts Zaccaro Ferraro's Husband Charged In Bribery Scam

October 2, 1986|By United Press International

NEW YORK — John Zaccaro, husband of former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury investigating bribery in the awards of cable television franchises, his lawyer said.

Attorney Robert Morvillo confirmed that the indictment was issued by the grand jury and said Zaccaro denies any wrongdoing.

Acting Justice Seymour Rotker in state Supreme Court in Queens said the indictment was sealed and no further details would be disclosed.

The lawyer said he did not know the charges contained in the indictment.

The statute of limitations on taking action against Zaccaro in the case expires Oct. 28, and Morvillo said the indictment was the result of a ''panicked race'' to beat the deadline.

The panel's investigation has focused on allegations that Zaccaro and political consultant Michael Nussbaum solicited payments from companies seeking lucrative Queens cable television franchises in 1981.

The contracts allegedly were obtained through Donald Manes, the Queens borough president who committed suicide March 13 after reports of his role in a corruption scandal.

The grand jury action came a day after Morvillo lost a bid to block action by the panel, maintaining the probe is illegal because the assistant district attorney directing it lives in Westchester County.

State law requires prosecutors in all boroughs except Manhattan to live in the city. A spokesman for Queens District Attorney John Santucci said the assistant district attorney, Paul Pickelle, also has a home in the city.